As almost everyone in the universe suspected, Steve Clark used his time in the Town Center to throw his hat in the ring, adding his name to the list of Fayetteville mayoral hopefuls. What a pity that all he had to offer were the usual round of the newest cliches.

Smart Growth!

Sustainability!

Green-space!

All of these years in politics, and looks as though he just prepped for the press conference over breakfast with Dan Coody.

I’m not putting down the new by-words we all strive to live by - I’d hate to have Code Compliance pay another visit to my house - but tax revenues are down, jobs are vanishing, and a some of our citizens are being evicted to make room for some of this “smart-growth.”

And hey, Nancy Allen and Lioneld Jordan are still the only folks in Fayetteville who have spoken out publicly concerning these hell-holes that charge families by the week to live in sqaullid conditions.

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Coody a Clark Man?

I started hearing rumors that Comrade Coody was supporting Clark last week, though I had my suspicions a few weeks earlier, when I made a joke about Clark, and Comrade Dan seemed terribly defensive about it.

If Coody does publicly come out in favor in Clark, expect the word “redemption” to be used.

I’m sure Matthew Petty is a nice man, and kind to small animals, but he needs to understand that folks in Fayetteville have been a little bit spoiled by people who can speak about important matters in a down to earth fashion. I read the everything on his website, and I wasn’t sure if I was reading campaign material or a term paper.

But here is the crazy part:

Petty is running against a woman who not only speaks in a way that folks will immediately be able to grasp what she is saying, but she is a true progressive - as opposed to folks to say they are before the election, but think it’s a dirty word after they are sworn in. So why run against her, Comrade Petty?

Oh, wait a minute. Even though Coody (our mayor that Allen is an an occasional critic of) won’t be on the council any more, would someone like Petty be a better “fit” on the council should Clark actually succeed in his race for mayor?

Like Clark, Petty addresses no working class issues on his website.

I ain’t holdin’ my breath in either case.

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Send in the Clones

There has been a great moral outcry lately concerning the possibility of cloning human beings. Science fiction horrors have been dished up, using the scenario of using laboratory produced creatures for use in factories, wars, mines, and serving in Congress.

Well, good. Bring 'em on. Maybe it will take some of the strain off those already in those positions.

Seriously, cloning for research and medical purposes may be one thing, but there is hardly a need to mass produce human beings on a massive scale, when we are already creating an entire generation of poorly educated men and women fit only for dray work or cannon fodder.

The future promises to be no better, as we face draconian cuts in public housing, health care, education and environmental protections, and two political parties which are lusting after the almighty campaign contribution, rather than the future of the American citizen. The workingpoor still occasionally get described by some in the “liberal” camp as "trailer park trash."

In our own community, we have the hellish conditions - are you listening, Matthew Petty andSteve Clark? - where families pay a majority of their pay checks to live in roach-infested trailers and apartments, unregulated and unobserved unless someone actually files a complaint with the city.

Why do we allow such things in our community?

And who lives there? Our very own half-creatures, golems, humans whose lives we are legislating into refuse, the individuals it has become chic to overlook, patronize, and condemn to further poverty.

It is, after all, cheaper than cloning.

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The Miracle Worker

Some years ago, I saw an excellent production of William Gibson's powerful play "The Miracle Worker," as put on by Springdale's Arts Center of the Ozarks. I have just reread the play, and I recommend it heartily for anyone who doubts the potential for bravery and ingenuity in the human soul. The story of Helen Keller, blind and deaf, is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read.

Totally riveting and brilliantly written, it is an excellent story for anyone of any age.

I finally got a chance to see the original movie some time ago on TCM.

Did anyone ever see the TV remake a few years ago with that annoying little girl from the Coke (or was it Pepsi) commercials playing Keller?

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Quote of the Day

Unknowingly, we plow the dust of stars, blown about us by the wind, and drink the universe in a glass of rain. - Ihab Hassan